WASHINGTON (AP) – For some, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day isn’t the same without chomping on a cigar. That’s why one city lawmaker is pushing for an exception to the District of Columbia’s smoke-free laws for two events.

Councilman Jack Evans proposed an exception for the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and another organization, Fight for Children, that hosts an annual boxing fundraiser.

Evans was able to convince the council to pass a one-year waiver and is now hoping to make the exception permanent. Evans says the emergency measure is for two nights a year and workers can opt out of working the events.

Angela Bradbery, co-founder of Smokefree DC, urged the mayor to veto the bill she says would force workers to choose between their health and a paycheck.

WASHINGTON (AP) – For some, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day isn’t the same without chomping on a cigar. That’s why one city lawmaker is pushing for an exception to the District of Columbia’s smoke-free laws for two events.

Councilman Jack Evans proposed an exception for the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and another organization, Fight for Children, that hosts an annual boxing fundraiser.

Evans was able to convince the council to pass a one-year waiver and is now hoping to make the exception permanent. Evans says the emergency measure is for two nights a year and workers can opt out of working the events.

Angela Bradbery, co-founder of Smokefree DC, urged the mayor to veto the bill she says would force workers to choose between their health and a paycheck.

Wrapper: Costa Rica
Filler: Costa Rica & Dominican Republic
Size: Robusto (4 7/8×50)
Strength: Medium

Construction: Rustic red in color with just a slight tint of “maduro” qualities this cigar construction was top-notch. The wrapper was very “real” and not hidden with colorings, lasers (to remove veins) or any of the other tricks cigar manufacturers like to apply. There was a good amount of tobacco stuffed inside to make it impossible to find a soft spot and very few veins could be seen or felt.

Draw: If you do not prefer a lot of smoke then it’s okay to give this cigar a punch or V-cut. However for our smoking style, a cigar with a good amount of smoke, we would suggest giving this a cut.

Burn: D Crossier Imperium Class cigar creates a slightly jagged path during the entire burn process. From start to finish the ash created is pepper like and does a great job of holding on. Only on a few occasions did the ash fall off without a nice firm tap.

Flavor: Let’s begin the flavor portion of the cigar review by letting you know that the D Crossier Imperium Class is consistent from start to finish. D Crossier delivers a smooth cigar with a basic tobacco flavor profile that is spicy. As you smoke the Imperium you will notice a slight hint of sweetness that you can even locate during the retro-hale. The finish brings a small change of even more spice that is reminiscent of a Pepin created cigar.

Overall the body is in the medium range and will slightly creep up to the more full segment at the end depending on the smokers palate.

Final Verdict: With a recent shift in pricing we are not quite sure what the D Crossier Imperium Class (or Imperial as we like to say) robusto will run at the local B&M. Despite having that knowledge we still urge the smokers out there to pick this brand of cigars up and give them a try. Especially if you enjoy maduro cigars, spicy cigars or just a new cigar that is carving it’s own flavor profile path. You will not be disappointed!

As many of our readers may know PuffingCigars.com strives to showcase the hard working boutique cigar brands that are, or will be, making a large impact in the industry. We are delighted to introduce you to the D’crossier cigar company based out of Miami, Florida.

As of current date the D’crossier cigar company produces four blends; the Premium Blend, Diplomacy Series Golden Blend, Diplomacy Series Limited Edition, and the Imperium Class Vintage. Assembly and manufacturing takes place at their facilities in Costa Rica. However all of the cigars feature three types of tobaccos from Ecuador, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic in different configurations and sizes. Each is then packaged in the most detailed and elegant boxes that just oozes with pride and sophistication.

“We humbly recommend you try these fine blends and taste the result of a family passion for premium aged handcrafted cigars. Allow us to fulfill your expectations of a pleasurable cigar smoking experience and you will not be disappointed.”

Isaias Santana Diaz, the president of the company, was born in Cuba and migrated to the U.S. in 1995 from Sweden. H e considers himself “lucky to be a citizen of the U.S” and is grateful for the opportunity to contribute back to his beloved cigar community. As you speak to Santana you will quickly feel genuine passion and love for his cigars that he hopes brings you nothing but pure enjoyment.

The Story Behind the Cigars:
“Taste in cigars, as in all things, is largely a matter of personal preference; quality, on the other hand, can be held to measurable standards. The D’crossier brand embodies excellence, crafted using a time-honoured family recipe that dates back to the nineteenth century. From the minute you inhale one of our fine cigars, you will savor the legacy of Francis Navarro Crossier, my great grandfather and inspiration.

Back in the eighteen hundreds, Great Grandfather Crossier found himself on a journey to North America, searching for seeds to renew his vineyards in France. As with many great adventures, the law of unintended consequences dictated that he should arrive on the beautiful island of Cuba. Confronted with the varied and delightful flavors of that island, he wrote in his diary (which our family still retains) about the “fine Cuban Leaf of Tobacco” used in his smoking pipe, and “the Pinar Del Rio Valley (which) is a giant humidor all by itself”.

He quickly learned the Spanish way of life and language. He got used to the gentle Caribbean weather patterns and used them to his advantage to harvest fine Cuban tobacco. Although he intended to return to France to expand his domain with the combination of wine & cigars, love touched his heart and he remained in Cuba. There he prospered, investing in sugar cane and local real estate. Wine, Brandy and cigars were a passion he indulged after every meal and late into the night.

I heard all these stories at family reunions, but when I discovered his diary and read it, my heart and soul were touched and I was transformed. In 1990, I tried to roll my very first cigar and smoke it. I was only 17 years old, and when I lit this imperfect creation, inhaled and immediately coughed it out I vowed to complete my great grandfather’s legacy by crafting a truly great cigar.

With luck, timing and the grace of God, Great-Grandfather’s heritage now lives on within our family. I am proud to share with you the embodiment of our family’s vision, our dream, which I am blessed to have recreated in my lifetime.”

You can find more information about the D’crossier cigar company by visiting their website: http://www.decrossier.com.

As we often try to showcase the community effect of cigar smoking one of those interesting crossroads of discussion is fitness and the cigar community. As contrarian as it would seem to some, many cigar smokers enjoy living active lifestyles. One of the trends that we have started to see around our local B&M Casa Fuma, and at our Crossfit training center (Crossfit Southwest) is the phenomenon known as FiveFingers.

FiveFingers by Vibram are some of the most bizarre looking shoes you will see on an individual, but I will say this about them, they are also some of the most functional! Having seen these shoes around the shop the first thing one notices is that they look like a pair of water moccasins with individual toe covers, hence the FiveFinger moniker. Upon close inspection you will notice that the bottom actually has light treading, and that the sole is contoured to your foot. To be precise, as is stated on the Vibram website FiveFingers are designed to “…bring you closer to your environment, FiveFingers deliver a number of positive health benefits—by leveraging all of the body’s natural biomechanics, so you can move as nature intended.”

To be honest I was skeptical at first and thought it was a ridiculous concept, but then I read a study published by a group of Harvard professors that talked about the possible benefits of running barefoot. One of the points they made was that many runners develop a heel strike when wearing running shoes. As is quoted from the study by Liberman et al. in an article of Nature they state that “Most runners who wear standard running shoes usually heel strike, but our research suggests that most barefoot or minimally shod endurance runners forefoot strike and sometimes midfoot strike.” Perhaps one of the greatest barriers of me being able to run any great distance is the fact that I develop bad shin splints due to heavy heel strikes. I have been working on a pose running form to help, but I thought if the shoes could really change my running pattern then why not give them a try as well.

The first time I slipped them on I thought how awkward they felt. Having your toes securely in their own individualized pockets is quite a new experience, but the more you wear them, the more they start to feel like a second skin. My first impression was about how you really felt connected to the ground. One could feel every bump and rock of the ground, as if one were barefoot, but protected. The nice part about the shoes was that even if one walk on rocks or somewhat uneven terrain, one feels it, but does not have the discomfiture of being actually barefoot and stepping on a rock. Immediately I noticed that my tendency to walk on the heel was being supplanted to walk on a less tender part of my foot. It truly began to shape the way I wanted to walk and interact with my environment.

It had the added benefits as well in the jumping rope and weightlifting departments. Jumping rope and performing double-unders has been a challenge for me, but with the FiveFingers on I was able to quickly start getting consecutive skips and better height. I chalk this up to being unencumbered by weightier shoes, and also being able to balance better in general by jumping from the front of my foot. As for the weightlifting, I have always struggled with different snatch movements, because in a large part the force needed to propel the weight upward requires one to push or jump from their heel specifically. In normal shoes I could jump, but I was tending to push from the front instead of loading up the heel. Wearing FiveFingers allowed me to sense what part of my foot I was leading from, and make the proper adjustments. In one session, and in multiple ones since, I have seen up to a 40lb gain in some of my snatches and high pulls!

To be sure the FiveFingers are a modern marvel and oddity. While their looks are definitely unique, their function is unparalleled and a truly marvelous experience for those looking to improve their running form, balance, or weightlifting technique. A gentle caveat is to take it easy in your initial runs while your feet and legs adjust to a new running style. My legs and feet were sore in places I have never engaged before, and took me a few days to recover them. Enjoy them and break them in at a moderate pace, but you will definitely not be sorry that you purchased a pair. If you want more information you can check them out on VibramFiveFingers.com, and be sure to check them out periodically, because they have some cool new models coming out for the avid hiker and runner!

Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan (Esteli & Jalapa Valley)
Size: Robusto (5×52)
Strength: Medium-Full

Today’s cigar in review is the Carmelo Blue by Honduras Caribbean Tobacco. I was first introduced to this cigar while attending the 2009 IPCPR in New Orleans.

I was out for drinks one evening with a few acquaintances when my cigar supply had somehow dwindled down to zero. A young man noticing my dilemma offered  me the Carmelo Blue cigar and a light. After the first initial puffs I was immediately in love with the cigar and joined in a long “B.S.” conversation the rest of the evening.

While speaking to him I was unable to get more information about the Carmelo Blue. I was just told to enjoy it and seek out the Honduras Caribbean Tobacco booth if it was really something of interest to me. I was able to locate the booth and to my surprise this man, Clayton, was working. It turns out Clayton was actually the owner of the company.

Construction: The Carmelo Blue wrapper has a slightly reddish color that looks amazing against the dark blue/purple band. My eyes can visually see some veins but they can not be felt with my hands. The tobacco is packed in there nice and tight ensuring there are not soft spots.

Draw: Since the tobacco in the Carmelo Blue was densely packed I was a little hesitant to start off my smoke with just a punch. However, to much surprise, the Carmelo was drawing like a champ! Each puff required just a slight tug to pull the right amount of thick spicy smoke.

Burn: You’re not going to hear any complaints from me on the burn of the Carmelo Blue. Every single stick created a nice thick ash that was slightly gray in color. Perhaps the perfectionist might notice that the burn was slightly jagged but it never required any corrections.

Flavor: As I sat down on a nice cool evening just after eating dinner I was in the mood for a specific kind of cigar. I wanted a no-nonsense cigar that would be smooth and spicy – this is exactly what the Carmelo Blue delivered.

The first third of my cigar was medium in body and carried the right amount of spice. It wasn’t a pepper stick that would overkill your palate and keep you sipping on water throughout. It was just a medium spice that complimented a very smooth thick smoke. It was interesting how the smoke also left a different flavor of spice on your palate on the exhale and remained until the next puff.

There are not too many noticeable changes in the middle of the Carmelo Blue. If your sense of taste is sensitive enough you may start to pick up a little bit of cedar lingering in the background. Body may slightly increase to the more full range and the spice is still right in the middle. The smoke is still giving me a different flavor profile of spice on the exhale of the thick smoke.

By the time you get to the final third of the cigar the tobaccos and flavors have all married very well. Changes include a slight introduction of dry coco that can be found in the smoke. The body has increased somewhat but many will still find this in the medium range. A straightforward spice, a hint of cedar and a bit of coco make this a great finish.

Final Verdict: The MSRP on this stick is somewhere in the $6.xx-7.xx range. This is a cigar that always transitions and keeps the palate entertained with spice and subtle flavors. It comes in 8 different sizes that will be sure to please any smoker out there.  Because of this I can do nothing but recommend you give this brand/cigar a shot in your humidor!



This is a list of the current state taxing method on cigars. The tax table comes from Cigar Magazine and is being published as a way to archive our current state as we face many legislative battles across the country.

Hopefully the cigar tax list is also useful to those who frequently travel to cigar lounges around the county. And maybe, maybe – this can be a simple answer the patron who sometimes says “I can get this online for much cheaper, why are you trying to rip me off?”

Alabama – 4.05 cents per cigar
Alaska – 75% of the wholesale price
Arizona – 22 cents per cigar
Arkansas – 68% of the manufacturers selling price
California - 41.1% of the cost to the distributor (changes every July)
Colorado - 40% of the manufacturers list price
Connecticut - 27.5 percent of the wholesale price
Delaware - 15% of the gross wholesale price
Georgia - 23% of the gross wholesale cost
Hawaii - 50% of the wholesale sales price
Idaho - 40% of the wholesale sales price
Illinois - 18% of the wholesale price
Indiana - 24% of the wholesales sales price
Iowa - 50% of the wholesales price, capped at 50 cents
Kansas - 10% of the wholesale sales price
Kentucky - 15% of the wholesaler’s gross receipts
Louisiana - 20% of the invoiced price
Maine - 20% of the wholesale sales price
Maryland - 15% of the wholesales purchase price
Massachusetts - 30% of the price paid by the distributor
Michigan - 32% of the wholesale price
Minnesota - 70% of the gross wholesale price
Mississippi - 15% of the manufacturer’s gross list price
Missouri - 10% of the manufacturer’s gross invoice price
Montana - 50% of the wholesale price
Nebraska - 20% of the manufacturer’s selling price
Nevada - 30% of wholesale price
New Hampshire – 48.6%, exempt on premium cigars wholesaling for $2 or more.
New Jersey – 30% of the wholesale sales price
New Mexico – 20% of the wholesale price
New York – 46% of the wholesale price
North Carolina – 12.8% of the wholesale purchase price
North Dakota – 28% of the wholesale purchase price
Ohio - 17% of the wholesale purchase price
Oklahoma - .12 cents per cigar
Oregon - 65% of the wholesale cost price, capped at .50 cents per cigar
Rhode Island – 80% of the wholesale cost price, capped .50 cents per cigar
South Carolina - 5% of manufacturer’s selling price
South Dakota – 35% of the wholesale purchase price
Tennessee - 6.6% of the wholesale cost price
Texas - 1.1 cent per cigar
Utah - 35% of manufacturer’s sale price
Vermont - 92% of price paid by the retail vendor
Virginia - 10% of the wholesale price
Washington - 75% of the wholesale sale price, capped at .50 cents per cigar
West Virginia – 7% of wholesale sales price
Wisconsin - 71% of manufacturer’s list price, capped at .50 cents per cigar
Wyoming - 20% of the wholesale purchase price
Washington D.C. - 12% of gross receipts for cigars retailing at less than $2 each

It appears that there might be some limited edition “naked” MJ12 cigars hitting retailers in the upcoming shipments. Dion Giolito, the owner of Illuisione Cigars, has confirmed that some of the boxes will arrive to retailers without the infamous foil sleeve. It’s unclear how many of these “naked” cigars will be released into the public but Illusione collectors should be prepared to purchase the box immediately as they are expected to go fast.

In Willy Wonka fashion there will be no way to tell if the box of cigars is “naked” or filled with the regular blimp looking cigars unless it is fully opened. Be aware of fakes that might be rolling onto the market as many retailers might simply remove the foil casing in hopes of representing this prized limited edition release. You can verify the true “naked” cigars by making sure they are still cleanly wrapped in the butcher style paper the bundles are secured in.

Cigar aficionados should immediately be aware that this could DRAMATICALLY change the flavor profile of the beloved MJ12. Time will only tell if the MJ12 absorbs the wood flavor from the box or how it can now marry more properly with other cigars in your humidor. Will this cigar fall under the current ratings achieved by the “standard” MJ12 or should it receive its own?

Followers of the Illusione brand are also aware that the names and packaging all have meanings (http://illusionecigars.com for more information on that). What does the “naked” cigar represent in the story of the lineup? Is this possible a symbol that represents that all good stories have alternatives? Or perhaps its Dion’s way of telling people to keep their eyes open for something greater to come in the line of Illusione? Or maybe this is a second part to the mysterious MJ12 saga?

Or maybe this is just a story of the manufacturer running out of the foil when producing the MJ12 cigar. And instead of Mr. Giolito holding up production/shipping for two additional weeks he gave it the go-ahead nod. After all, once you purchase the cigar you have to remove the foil to smoke it anyways.

*This is the official press release for the Dollars for Dallas event that was distributed by Casa Fuma Fine Cigars. No new information is presented however they do list the various companies that are providing support to this cause. On a side note, this story was picked up by the local Arizona newspaper.

Join us February 10th at Casa Fuma Fine Cigars in Gilbert, Aizona for the release party of the New Gran Habano Azteca. The Azteca is a brand new maduro cigar featuring a San Andres Maduro wrapper and binder along with filler tobacco from Nicaragua and Panama. Casa Fuma is excited to be teamed up with Gran Habano Cigars to be the first to offer this new medium to full bodied cigar to the public!

We will also have margaritas provided by local tequila company Senor Rio, along with food from Cantina Laredo Gourmet Mexican Food in Gilbert.

Dollars For Dallas -
Dallas Francis has been an employee of Teakwoods Tavern and Grill for 3 years. Dallas and his wife Liz both work at Teakwoods full time to support their 5 children during these tough economic times. He has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer and has undergone emergency surgery. The cancerous cells are still in his body and he will have to endure 6 months of chemotherapy. During that time, he will be unable to work to provide for his wife and children.

We are pleased to have a Gran Habano one of a kind custom designed hand crafted humidor for raffle during this event. The humidor will be also be autographed by George Rico, President of Gran Habano Cigar Company who will be here to launch his new AZTECA Cigar and support the effort for Dallas and his family. Raffle Tickets are available NOW at Casa Fuma Fine Cigars and Teakwoods Tavern for $10.

**ALL PROCEEDS OF THE RAFFLE WILL BENEFIT DOLLARS FOR DALLAS**

When: Wednesday, February 10th 6:00 – 10:00pm

Location:
Casa Fuma Fine Cigars
1464 E. Williams Field Rd
Gilbert AZ 85295
480.794.1581

Officially sponsored by these great companies:
Casa Fuma Fine Cigars, Gran Habano Cigar Company,
Teakwoods Tavern, Cantina Laredo Mexican Food,
Senor Rio Tequila, Puffingcigars.com

I would expect to enter a realm of great cigars in the dusty land of El Paso, Texas where the tobacco tax hits 00.01 cents. Unfortunately this was not the case and the cigar lounges are few and desolate. However I did encounter, to what my humble opinion believes, a great boutique smoking paradise – Tobacco Road.

Upon entering Tobacco Road you are greeted with a very clean and elegant smoking environment. This spacious area provides you with smoking couches, comfortable chairs and quite honestly – the best smoking lounge in El Paso. An ash tray is always near and the tranquil environment allows one to enjoy a good book or to get lost in deep thought.

Unlike most cigar shops in El Paso, Texas Tobacco Road is a very large carrier of boutique cigars. You will find a great selection of Tatuaje, Illusione, Gran Habano, Pepin and any other smoke your palate may be craving. The prices are absolutely phenomenal to not only the local area but, with a tobacco tax so low, perhaps some of the best I’ve seen in the entire country. The staff was warm and quick to assist in choosing my smokes but allowed plenty of space to browse at my convenience.

The accessories are contained at the front counter displayed in a perfectly functional manner. You can pick up the latest release from Xikar or a moderately priced generic piece. Everything is carried from cases, punches and cutters and new smoker can leave fully equipped.

Perhaps the best quality of the cigar lounge is the owner. During our long conversation he was able to point me to smoke friendly bars and restaurants to enjoy our stay in the area. He exclaimed his support of local cigar connoisseurs and puts on many cigar dinners throughout the year. If you’re interested in experiencing one of the few cigar paradises in El Paso then you must stop in to Tobacco Road. Make sure to speak to the owner and get set up for one of the great dinners.

Tobacco Road
(915) 921-8226
1441 North Zaragoza Road
El Paso, TX 79936